An unidentified fan reaches out to touch R&B singer R. Kelly arrives as he arrives at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse in Chicago Tuesday, April 1, 1008, for a status hearing in his upcoming trial. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

(Newser)
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A Chicago judge today denied R. Kelly's attempt to further delay his child-pornography trial—already six years in the making—and began jury selection before recessing for the weekend, reports the Tribune in its gavel-to-gavel coverage. A circus atmosphere earlier prevailed outside the court, with fans and detractors of the R&B singer loudly heralding his arrival.

Lawyers for Kelly, 41, complained that recent publicity would taint the jury pool, but judge Vincent Gaughan wasn't buying it. Reporters also had a beef with Gaughan, who ordered deputies to keep them in a hallway so potential jurors would have courtroom seats. Proceedings are to resume Monday, with 20 people to be interviewed each day until 16 jurors and four alternates are chosen.